Youth Show Work of Head, Heart, Hands and Health

Showmanship, public speaking, animal husbandry and responsibility are all skills and qualities instilled in youth through participation in Molokai’s annual 4-H Expo. Held last Friday and Saturday at Kaunakakai Ball Park, the two-day event was the culmination of months of animal care and gave young participants the opportunity to showcase their hard work.

Molokai 4-H. Photo by Kainoa Kamakana

From ducks to pigs, goats and steer, youth raised, fed and trained their animals, and younger 4-H-ers had their small animals on display while older participants competed in market and showmanship categories in the ring. They were judged on control over their animal, eye contact with the judge, knowledge of animal care and processing and the size and proportions of their goats, steer or pigs. Saturday also featured an auction for the larger animals.

In the Market Swine category, Leland Kamakana-Kawano took grand champion, while Liam Davis claimed reserve champ. For Market Steer, Lane Kamakana was named grand champ, and Nicole Kamakana took reserve. For Market Goat, grand champ was Maximus Sakamoto and reserve was Kaileena Harris-Gramberg. In the Showmanship Swine category, Sadie Aiana was junior grand champ and Kailen Poepoe-Johnson took junior reserve. Senior grand champ was Nicole Kamakana and reserve was Saije Aiana. Sadie Aiana was again named grand champ in the junior Showmanship Steer category and reserve was Liam Davis. Rex Kamakana took grand champ in the senior category, while Lane Kamakana took reserve. For Showmanship Goat, grand champ was Jared Aiana and reserve was Maximus Sakamoto.

Lane Kamakana. Photo by Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kaileena Harris-Gramberg. Photo by Catherine Cluett Pactol